Tool #11 Reflections

1. What are your favorite tools you now have in your personal technology toolbox?
I personally like the Wiki page. I really think it will help my students, and me, stay well connected to what is going in the classroom. It gives them a place to document what they are doing. They can also look back and connect to what they have done in the past.
Photostory is another tool I think the students would really enjoy. It's a great way to use all the different learning styles. This would make for a great research/group project. 4th and 5th graders love to do research. Photostory will give them a way to document what they have learned.

2. How have you transformed your thinking about the learning that will take place in your classroom?
I definitely feel more comfortable now with using technology in my classroom. For me, the summer is a good time to learn these different tools. There are too many distractions during the school year.

3. Were there any unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
Most, if not all, of the tools are pretty user friendly.

Tool #11

After looking over the different aspects of digital citizenship, it has been brought to my attention that I will need to spend blocks of time reviewing/modeling what good digital citizenship really means.
I need to create a couple of lessons on citing web resources. Not only will this better prepare them for the future, it will also give me a segway to plagiarism.
Plagiarism is a big issue in 4th and 5th grade. I will set up a couple of lessons, I know there is one on brainpop, on what digital plagiarism is and how it must be avoided. This will also correlate with writing and help them learn how to develop their own ideas-which is a whole other lesson.
I will also need to create a couple of lessons on "web manners" and what that means. They need to learn how written words can be misinterpreted and just the fact that they need to treat others fairly. A lot of this can be tied into community circle.

Tool #10

Finally, this one is easy for me!! I have an iPhone and love it! So, the iTouch is a great way to connect kids to the web. There are so many apps they can use. It's endless really. They can use the iTouches to update the blog, math flashcards, science demonstrations, etc.

Tool #9

I downloaded Jing and soon after got a virus. Just saying. It is good way to show someone where a restaurant is, etc.

I am a bigger fan of Skype. I think Skype would be a great way to to communicate with classes around the world. I would love to have a pen pal class. My teammate, Jenny, and I could have the same class and that way we could link LA with math and science.

Oh, you could Skype different science experiments,the "challenge" math problem of day
Here are some more ideas I found:
Share field trips with others. If your class goes out for a field trip, see about connecting with parents or other classes to share your classes’ experience.
Skype allows students to see first hand what people’s homes, schools, clothing, weather, and more looks like. If a festival takes place, Skype can bring it to your classroom too.
Form friendships that can easily bridge distance gaps with Skype.
Have guest lecturers come to your classroom via Skype.
Who says Skype has to be fun just for the kids? With Skype, teachers can collaborate on ideas, projects, and more.

Here is a website you can go to to make Skype classroom friends:
http://www.epals.com/

This is the site where I found all of these ideas:http://www.teachingdegree.org/2009/06/30/50-awesome-ways-to-use-skype-in-the-classroom/

Blogging from my iPhone

This is a post from my iPhone. It only took me three tries.
I did some pilates this morning. The kids have their first swim lesson today. Then we head to g-town to clean the house.
My computer has a virus!!!! Ugh!!

Tool #8

I use brainpop a lot to help teach various science topics. The video explains the information in a very clear and concise way. http://www.brainpop.com/science/space/mars/

Tool #8-Sneezing Panda

Look at the link to the right. It's a great way to use humor in the classroom.

Warning: The animal videos are usually a hit; but make sure you preview it. Even an innocent kitty can turn into something they shouldn't see.